Louisiana Radio Network news, I’m Matt Doyle

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is planning on filing a constitutional amendment that would allow regions of the state to make their own decisions about gas taxes and how they’re spent on road construction. Carter says the state’s degrading infrastructure is a threat to the economy, specifically in urban areas like his Baton Rouge district…

Cut 5, 08, our bridge.

Louisiana has not increased the gas tax since 1990.

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index is the highest it’s ever been to start off 2018. The survey talked to small business. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says a judicially defeated Labor Department overtime rule in particular was part of the excitement…

Cut 7, 12, hourly and their managers

The rule would have required business to pay overtime to 4.6 million workers who work more than 40 hours a week, but who are not paid time and a half on overtime hours.

LRN

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking President Donald Trump to maintain Louisiana’s protections for medical marijuana, in the face of a push from Attorney General Jeff Sessions to crack down on state legalization. Edward’s sent the president a letter in support of Senator Fred Mills 2016 law allowing the regulation of cannabis for medical use. Mils says…

Cut 11, 08, taking place

An apparent Tallulah home invasion resulted in one fatality and two injuries, and has led to a series of charges against a 21-year-old Corey McGowan. Madison Parish Deputies arrived on scene Sunday night and found a 17-year-old Robert Taylor dead. Investigator Brandon Wiltcher says the shootout started after Taylor and McGowan knocked at the homeowner’s door…

Cut 12, 10, had weapons

McGowan was charged with home invasion, armed Robbery, and attempted first degree murder.

Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie says the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is already having a positive impact on families. Scalise lists over 100 businesses on his House Majority Whip website that have given bonuses, pay raises or made new investments as a result of the federal tax overhaul. Scalise says local businesses in southeast Louisiana are following suit:
Cut 14 (12) “bonuses”

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking the president not to interfere with Louisiana’s medical marijuana law. Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently said plans were in place to tackle state’s legal medical marijuana policies. Senator Fred Mills authored the 2016 law authorizing the regulation of cannabis treatment here and says it would be a horrible step back for people that need this medication for the feds to stand in the way…:
Cut 10 (03) “not humane”

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index is at an all time high heading into 2018…:
Cut 2 (30) “Matt Doyle”

LSU is reportedly close to naming Steve Ensminger as the Tigers new offensive coordinator. Ensminger has been the Tigers tight ends coach for a number of years and served as interim offensive coordinator in 2016 after Les Miles and Cam Cameron were fired. LSU averaged 41 points a game in six victories with Ensminger calling plays, but didn’t do much in losses versus to Alabama and Florida.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says he has a better plan to raise money to fix roads in bridges in Louisiana…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Small Business Optimism is at an all-time high as we enter 2018. Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn Starns credits the Trump Administration’s promise of regulatory rollback and tax cuts…:
Cut 6 (07) “in 2017″

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to President Trump asking him to defend Louisiana’s ability to offer medical marijuana. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has requested a federal mandate that protects a state’s legal medical marijuana activity be reversed. Senator Fred Mills authored the 2016 law authorizing the regulation of cannabis treatment here…:
CUT 9 (07) “for clients”
Recent polling in Louisiana indicates that there is broad support for the availability of medical marijuana treatment for those in need.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish says he’ll need another surgery tomorrow as part of his ongoing recovery process. Scalise was shot and injured during a Congressional Baseball practice over the summer.

Governor John Bel Edwards says one of the items he’ll be pushing in the March regular legislative session is to reduce the state’s 71 licensing boards. He says doing so would help start-up small businesses in Louisiana…:
Cut 12 (11) “the board”
Edwards also told the Baton Rouge Press Club Monday he does not favor making changes to the TOPS scholarship program.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish says he’ll need another surgery tomorrow as part of his ongoing recovery process. Scalise was shot and injured during a Congressional Baseball practice over the summer. He says he is receiving great care from his medical team and will remain fully engaged in work as he heals from the procedure. He hopes to return to Congress in the coming weeks.

Scientists say we may be entering a global chocolate shortage by 2050, blaming things like climate change, disease and declining crop quality in cacao producing countries. But Rob Nelson, CEO of Elmer’s Chocolate in Ponchatoula, says they are working on sustainability efforts…:
Cut 9 (11) “long term”
He says there’s still time to save cacao.

Even though Louisiana just had a bitter cold snap, Saints fans traveling to the playoff game in Minnesota this weekend will be dealing with a high of one degree. Explore Minnesota Spokesperson Erica Wacker says the great north offers man activities Louisianians would love including interesting fishing opportunities…:
Cut 15 (11) “frozen lake”
The game starts 3:40pm Sunday.

Governor John Bel Edwards outlined his legislative agenda during Baton Rouge Press Club Monday, and once again said he’d be pushing to raise the minimum wage. The Governor believes $7.25 an hour is not enough for hard working Louisiana families…:
Cut 10 (10) “support themselves”
The regular session is slated to convene March 12th.

A state audit finds that the former Police Chief for the Town of Killian in Livingston Parish was paid for time he did not work, received excessive compensation and used work credit cards for personal use. Investigative Audit Manager Greg Clapinski says they found that Dennis Hill submitted time sheets for overtime that he did not work…:
Cut 4 (09) “on the clock”
Clapinski says they have turned findings over to the DA.

Calling Minnesota’s winter weather frigid would be understatement, and Matt Doyle has more about what Saints fans making the trip this Sunday should expect…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Two Angola sergeants have been arrested amid allegations they brought cell phones and drugs into the prison, and another booked for sexual malfeasance. Officials say contraband brought into the Louisiana State Penitentiary included mojo, ecstasy pills, cocaine and pot. The investigation further found that 23-year-old Diamond Nicholson of Natchez had sex on several occasions with an inmate.

Governor John Bel Edwards will not push for changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The former Police Chief for the Town of Killian was paid for time he did not work, received excessive compensation and used work credit cards for personal use, according to a recent state audit. Investigative Audit Manager Greg Clapinski…:
Cut 5 (07) “personal purchase”
Clapinski says they have turned findings over to the DA.

A USA article stoked fears that we could be facing a global chocolate shortage by 2050, saying research shows a surging demand from former third world countries. Chairman and CEO of Elmer’s Chocolate in Ponchatoula Rob Nelson believes the commerce will be able to handle supply…:
Cut 8 (07) “demand”
The article cited a 2016 study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and discussed how Mars Co, makers of M&Ms, was investing a billion dollars into sustainability projects.

Saints fans are loving a video making the rounds on social media showing the team and even coach Sean Payton dancing around the in the locker room following New Orleans playoff victory over Carolina on Sunday. Linebacker Manti Te’o says it was a great moment…:
Cut 26 (11) “good team win”
New Orleans will face the Vikings on Sunday at 3:40 pm in the NFC divisional playoffs.

Governor John Bel Edwards has several items he would like to accomplish in the 2018 regular legislative session when it convenes March 12th. Among them, Edwards says he’ll seek legislative support to close the gender pay gap in private businesses…:
Cut 11 (11) “same job”
The Governor also said Monday he doesn’t want to tweak the popular TOPS program.

Saints fans going to watch the away playoff game against the Vikings this weekend will be lucky if they experience temperatures above zero. Explore Minnesota Spokesperson Erica Wacker says locals have a different way of thinking about the cold..:
Cut 13 (09) “bad clothing”
The game kicks off at 3:40 our time Sunday.

A legislative audit finds the former Killian Police Chief in Livingston Parish misappropriated funds for personal use…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Alabama ended up creeping back up on Georgia in the College Football Playoff national championship game last night, and rallied to a 26-23 win after Amite grad Devonta Smith caught the winning pass for the Crimson Tide in overtime.

A legislative audit finds the former Killian Police Chief misappropriated funds for personal use.  Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards will not push for changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Calling Minnesota’s winter weather frigid would be understatement, and Matt Doyle has more about what Saints fans making the trip this Sunday should expect.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The former Police Chief for the Town of Killian was paid for time he did not work, received excessive compensation and used work credit cards for personal use, according to a recent state audit. Investigative Audit Manager Greg Clapinski says they found that Dennis Hill submitted time sheets for overtime that he did not work…:

Cut 4  (09) “on the clock” 

The Livingston Sheriff’s Office requested the audit last May, once Hill was terminated over possible misappropriation of town funds. Clapinski says they found through town records Hill used the department’s fuel card to buy gas while on vacation and not working. He says Hill also charged personal items to Killian…:

Cut 5  (07)  “personal purchase”

Clapinski says they also found that the town improperly purchased diving equipment from the police department’s dive team manager and did not publicly bid the process…:

Cut 6 (11)  “question that”

Clapinski says they have turned findings over to the DA.

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An article in USA Today stoked fears that we could be facing a global chocolate shortage by 2050. The article cited a 2016 study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and discussed how Mars Co, makers of M&Ms, was investing a billion dollars into sustainability projects. Chairman and CEO of Elmer’s Chocolate Rob Nelson says the headline was off…

Cut 7 (04)  “misleading.”

The study citied research that shows a combination of surging demand from formerly third world countries combining climate change to create a rough environment for chocolate lovers. Nelson says the industry is working to keep pace with the growing desire for chocolate…

Cut 8 (08) “demand”

The billion dollars from Mars will go towards sustainability efforts, and developing new seeds that could weather a future where increased temperatures potentially lower humidity in the West African nations that are home to major coca production. Nelson says the industry is focused on that effort…

Cut 9 (11)  “long term.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has several items he would like to accomplish in the 2018 regular legislative session when it convenes March 12^th.   Edwards will once again ask legislators to increase the minimum wage.  18 states increased their minimum wage January 1^st.  He says $7.25 an hour is not enough for  hard working Louisiana families…

Cut 10 (10) “support themselves.”

Edwards says he’ll also seek legislative support to close the gender pay gap that exists in private businesses…

Governor John Bel Edwards met with House Speaker Taylor Barras again today to discuss solutions to a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards would like to call a special session in February to pass a revenue-neutral tax plan to address the fiscal cliff.  The governor is working on proposing a budget that reflects a billion dollars in cuts, if he can’t reach an agreement with legislators on a tax plan…

Cut 13 (07)  “be devastating.”

In a twitter post, Governor Edwards outlined for the GOP what he would like to see accomplished.

The former Police Chief for the Town of Killian was paid for time he did not work, received excessive compensation and used work credit cards for personal use, according to a recent state audit. Investigative Audit Manager Greg Clapinski says they found that Dennis Hill submited time sheets for overtime that he did not work…:

Cut 4  (09) “on the clock” 

Last week’s hard freezes will have an impact on fishing. You might find a fish kill and Wildlife and Fisheries asks that you contact them and provide basic information such as the location and size of the kill. Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Alex Perret says it’s a public safety interest…

Cut 12 (09) “fish kill”

It’s King Cake season.  It’s generally accepted that a traditional king cake is a twisted dough covered cake with icing, but after three centuries, the variations are nearly limitless. Haydel’s Bakery’s Dave Haydel says there’s a few other varieties he’s noticed are in high demand this year.

Cut 5  (13)  “fillings too.”

Carnival season wraps up Tuesday, February 13^th.